Olfaktsiya

Olfation is a science related to smells, their meanings , goals , values and their role in communication ^[1] .

Olfaccih studies the process of communication through the perception of odors ^[2] . This process is not just a biological or psychological phenomenon , but golf is a socio-historical, cultural phenomenon. It is associated with cultural values : smells that are considered offensive in some cultures may be quite acceptable in others. Thus, olfaction is a means and model of interaction with the outside world ^[3] . Different smells can be associated with close, emotionally charged inner experiences and meanings that are transmitted to members of society ^[4] .

The concept of "olfaccia" is similar to the term "sense of smell", but olfaction implies not just the perception of smell, but a manifestation of a natural phenomenon that is associated with apperception , identification, characteristics and characteristics of the feltor relating to the chemical activity of the human body , affecting the process of communication between individuals ^{[ 5]} .

The subject and history of the "olfaction"

As such, the birth of this science does not exist. If the definition set forth in the works of G.E. Kreydlin , then in foreign sources dolfatsiya is considered as an integral part of research in the field of non-verbal communication ^[6] . The study of olfaction takes place within the framework of a systematic description of non-verbal aspects of behavior at the time of the communicative act and problems of the relationship of individuals in this process.

According to the research of Kreydlin, an unmistakable perception of the interlocutor through an odorant helps to achieve a high degree of mutual understanding and the flow of information about his moral and personal aspects, feelings and inner world or their absence. Olfaction is part of non-verbal communication by interpreting the language of smells in the process of intercultural communication; it is a rather flexible cultural model , each time receiving a different symbolic meaning . Historically, the meaning gained by the olfaktsii is extremely mobile. Its decoding is governed by cultural settings, and the symbolism depends on the specific time. This science embodies the desire to change, to be different.

Characteristics of an olfaktion

The main characteristics of olfaktsii ^[7] :

1) is at a subconscious level;

2) has the ability to make a lasting impression ;

3) is based on emotions at the expense of the central nervous system ;

4) is part of personalization;

5) affects the communication process.

Olfactory culture

Olfactory culture is self-education, which is characterized by the degree of development of abilities to comprehend and interpret the external environment due to smells, their comprehension and use as a way of understanding the world around them ^[8] .

The role of genetics in olfaccia

All people are characterized by different smells, due to genetic differences ^[9] . Although the odorant receptor genes constitute one of the largest gene families in the human genome , only a few genes are definitely associated with them. For example, the smell of the OR5A1 receptor and its genetic variants ( alleles ) are responsible for our ability to perceive the smell of beta-ionone, a key flavor in food and beverages ^[10] .

The major histocompatibility complex is a group of genes present in many living organisms and important for the immune system. Offspring from parents with different genes MHC has a stronger immune system . Thus, women are able to smell these genes in the opposite sex and prefer partners with MHC, which differ from their own ^[11] .

People are able to identify their relatives at the expense of smell ^[12] . Mothers can be identified by body odor of their biological children. Siblings are able to recognize each other, which can help avoid incest and the Westermark effect ^[13] . Functional visualization shows that the frontal-temporal lobe and the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex are responsible for the detection of kinship by sense of smell ^[14] .

Types of olfactory odors

Olfactory smells are ^[15] :

1) Natural (odor emanating from the body);

2) Artificial (smell coming from perfumes , cosmetics ).

Abnormal communication situations

Anomalous communicative situations (AKS) are formed due to unpleasant odors ^[16] . In most cases, they are adversely reflected in the course of the dialogical interaction. AKCs can be caused by an unpleasant odor that comes from an interlocutor or the environment.

Most of the ACU is associated with the smell coming from the interlocutor. These situations can provoke olfactory aggression - the aggressiveness of the smell, which fills the space ^[17] . The spread of unpleasant odor and olfactory aggression adversely affect the success of communication.

Olfaction in Intercultural Communication

The success of communication depends on the degree of impact of the reaction as part of the behavior. To do this, it is necessary to observe olfactory etiquette in relation to the interlocutors, by getting rid of unpleasant odors ^[18] . Odors should be suppressed, which cannot be controlled using conventional flavors ^[19] . Comfortable communicative environment can create favorable odors of the environment.

The perception of certain smells distinguishes some cultures from others. Smell is a non-verbal code, a signal for most people. The odorant can promote or hinder both in simple communication and intercultural communication. It is common for a person to pay attention to smells that are new to him, this is especially apparent when contacting with an unfamiliar environment or a foreign culture for him ^[20] . As a result of environmental perception and socialization with it, smells become part of the semiotic field of a foreign culture. In the Arab countries, body odor plays a significant role in communication. Odorant in this culture is an element of behavior. A necessary condition for communication is the perception of the smell of the interlocutor. In contrast, Americans try not to breathe in the face, observing the rules of politeness in transmitting information ^[15] .

Any culture has its own odorants ^[21] . The dominance of certain flavors for any culture is associated with various factors: traditions , customs , ceremonies , nature , location. For example, the culture of Mongolia is characterized by the smell of milk and horses ^[22] . The Germans are typical flavors of sauerkraut , beer and sausages . The countries washed by the sea or the ocean , peculiar to the smell of water.

Certain odors may be associated with different situations . Removing unpleasant odors can reduce barriers between people ^[23] .

The use of olfactory communication techniques in literature

Olfactory is a complex of all components of any text that contains references to olfaktsii ^[24] . This or that smell serves in literature as a stable characteristic of the depicted environment, setting, social group , and individual character . In the story of A.P. Chekhov's “My life” smells are a symbol of the townsfolk’s existence: “On modest days, houses smelled of borsch , and on fasting days sturgeon , fried in sunflower oil . They ate badly, drank unhealthy water” ^[25] . Stable characteristic detail sometimes becomes symbolic. Thus, food odors are regularly used as a sign of well-being or distress. In the story "Thick and thin" at the station met two school buddies who had not seen each other for many years. One of them was fat. He had just visited a restaurant , and “his lips were shiny with oil, like ripe cherries . It smelled of sherry and orange blossom ” ^[26] . The second was thin, he “got off the car and was loaded with suitcases , knots and boxes . He smelled of ham and coffee grounds” ^[27] . Artistic details - smells allow us to imagine the social status of the characters.

Also in the literature there are examples of how smells can control people ( Patrick Suskind's novel "Perfume") ^[28] . Thus, the phenomenon of olfaktsii can be an important artistic tool that expands the range of perception of the work.